Radial Drill Presses

[shedfullatools]

I want to see if many people have radial drill presses, the only one Ive seen in person is the one I own. Mine is an old one made by Beaver power tools somewhere in the 70s, I bought it at a yard sale for $40 and use it all the time it works great. These things are great because the head itself can pivot and tilt wherever you like, without the belt on it can rotate 360 degrees. The arm the head mounts to can also swivel 360 degrees, mine is a table top model but takes up quite a bit of space because the length of the arm prevents you from getting it very close to the wall. Anyways brace for a lot of pictures and if you have one please share I wanna see the different models out there

 

[tombell572]

I've got one of the Walker Turner radials that evolved with only some minimal changes through Rockwell and Delta. I'll try to take some pics tomorrow. Small radials are to common and I find mine handy for drilling multiple holes in a workpiece-much faster and easier to clamp down the work once and move the drill head rather than the other way around.

Tom B.

 

[7th Kahuna]

I had no idea the head swiveled. That's pretty cool. I see them come up for sale from time to time. As best I can recall, they have all been either Delta/Rockwell or Homecraft. Never considered owning one simply because of the extra clearance required behind.

 

[gnpenning]

I've got a DeWalt with the yellow plastic belt guard. They are handy. I like that I can just rotate the head and drill angles while keeping the table and project flat.

 

[crguy]

I see them for sale frequently, and even though I own 5 drill presses I consider those light weight radials to be a pretty much worthless gimmic.

Notice how there is no table to support the work when the head is extended.
Every time you move the head you have to realign it square with the table.
They take up too much space.
No slow speed provision.

 

[bisley45]

I have a delta from the 70s and wouldn't be without it you just never know when you will need to drill that one weird hole.

 

[LesserSon]

I see them for sale frequently, and even though I own 5 drill presses I consider those light weight radials to be a pretty much worthless gimmic.

Notice how there is no table to support the work when the head is extended.
Every time you move the head you have to realign it square with the table.
They take up too much space.
No slow speed provision.

Hey! It's the swiss army knife of drill presses! Sure, it doesn't do a very good job at being a drill press (or anything else), but it does a mediocre job at so much more. I have used mine to drill holes, but also as a buffer, grinder, lathe, etc. You could chuck a fan blade in it to ventilate your shop, twist wire rope, spool fishing line, or whatever. Anything where accuracy, precision, and safety aren't very important.
I know this sounds sarcastic, but I do have one, and have found it useful when what I really should have been using wasn't available.

 

[crguy]

Hey! It's the swiss army knife of drill presses! Sure, it doesn't do a very good job at being a drill press (or anything else), but it does a mediocre job at so much more. I have used mine to drill holes, but also as a buffer, grinder, lathe, etc. You could chuck a fan blade in it to ventilate your shop, twist wire rope, spool fishing line, or whatever. Anything where accuracy, precision, and safety aren't very important.
I know this sounds sarcastic, but I do have one, and have found it useful when what I really should have been using wasn't available.

You can make all the excuses you want - it's still a nearly worthless gimmic.

 

[Cruzan80]

Only if you don't need what it can provide. Seems like you only need stuff that is perfectly square and slow. I know of several types of drills that also don't need tables.

So gimmicky can be quite a strong word. Is a production setup with multiple heads in a row gimmicky as well?

 

[Packard V8]

I owned a Delta Homecraft radial for several years and then sold it. Agree, it's not a machine I'd give shop space to unless my shop was much, much larger.

Yes, it will do a few odd angles and dimensions a standard bench DP won't.

No, won't do any precise machine work or large diameters in metals when used as a radial; too flexible unless the head is backed up against the column.

Maybe, for the purposes of this discussion, we need to differentiate the light-duty homeowner radials from the hell-for-stout industrial radials.

jack vines

 

[crguy]

I owned a Delta Homecraft radial for several years and then sold it. Agree, it's not a machine I'd give shop space to unless my shop was much, much larger.

Yes, it will do a few odd angles and dimensions a standard bench DP won't.

No, won't do any precise machine work or large diameters in metals when used as a radial; too flexible unless the head is backed up against the column.

Maybe, for the purposes of this discussion, we need to differentiate the light-duty homeowner radials from the hell-for-stout industrial radials.

jack vines

I like those big Walker Turner radials with the dovetail way, but that's a whole different thing than these "Homecraft" gizmos.

As far as angled holes go - that's what angle vises, angle plates, clamps, etc. are for.

 

[1930]

I want to see if many people have radial drill presses, the only one Ive seen in person is the one I own. Mine is an old one made by Beaver power tools somewhere in the 70s, I bought it at a yard sale for $40 and use it all the time it works great. These things are great because the head itself can pivot and tilt wherever you like, without the belt on it can rotate 360 degrees. The arm the head mounts to can also swivel 360 degrees, mine is a table top model but takes up quite a bit of space because the length of the arm prevents you from getting it very close to the wall. Anyways brace for a lot of pictures and if you have one please share I wanna see the different models out there

Who cares what it can do or what it cant, thats got cool written all over it and Im going to start looking for one

 

[tombell572]

Here's my Walker Turner radial. this is an earlier (possibly 1950'S VINTAGE) model with a #2 Morse taper. This was eliminated in later models which used a direct Jacob's taper on the end of the spindle providing a greater work height. For me the best feature is the large 18" x 26" table surface area with plenty of T-slots, a handy machine for drilling large awkward workpieces. I believe these were built under the Rockwell and Delta brands until the 1980's.

I got lucky on this and found it at a tag sale being run buy a guy who knew nothing about machinery values.

Tom B

 

[shedfullatools]

I've got one of the Walker Turner radials that evolved with only some minimal changes through Rockwell and Delta. I'll try to take some pics tomorrow. Small radials are to common and I find mine handy for drilling multiple holes in a workpiece-much faster and easier to clamp down the work once and move the drill head rather than the other way around.

Tom B.

I find myself doing that quite a bit Usually quicker for sure, the Beavers are basically Rockwells branded in the Beaver name. I think they were one company at one point...

 

[shedfullatools]

I had no idea the head swiveled. That's pretty cool. I see them come up for sale from time to time. As best I can recall, they have all been either Delta/Rockwell or Homecraft. Never considered owning one simply because of the extra clearance required behind.

The extra room they take up can be a bit annoying, mine was an old well built machine for the price and that's why I have it. I didn't want to buy a crappy new one that's mostly plastic so this was my compromise. I actually love the thing and while I may buy a floor model if I see an old one for sale, this will still own a corner of my shop

 

[shedfullatools]

I've got a DeWalt with the yellow plastic belt guard. They are handy. I like that I can just rotate the head and drill angles while keeping the table and project flat.

I found the angle drilling took a bit of practice but it is fine now, definitely nice to not have a vice sliding off while you try to clamp it to do angle drilling.

 

[shedfullatools]

I see them for sale frequently, and even though I own 5 drill presses I consider those light weight radials to be a pretty much worthless gimmic.

Notice how there is no table to support the work when the head is extended.
Every time you move the head you have to realign it square with the table.
They take up too much space.
No slow speed provision.

Mine is very heavily built, definitely not a worthless gimmick to the right guy. I had a bigger table on mine so I could get it closer to the wall and still use it but took it off in favor of the original look of it. Mine has a spring loaded knob you can pull in and out to lock at 90 degrees, pull out and spin over to the left or right and the head can swivel as you please, spin it back and let it pop in and as soon as the milled slot rolls around it snaps in at 90 degrees. Mine has stacked pulleys like most small drill presses, goes alot slower than I was expecting. If I need it slower Ill change out the pulleys, Thats just my opinion, To each his own I guess

 

[shedfullatools]

I have a delta from the 70s and wouldn't be without it you just never know when you will need to drill that one weird hole.

Definitely great to have If a nice old floor model pops up for sale I certainly wont pass on it but my radial will always have a place out there

 

[shedfullatools]

Hey! It's the swiss army knife of drill presses! Sure, it doesn't do a very good job at being a drill press (or anything else), but it does a mediocre job at so much more. I have used mine to drill holes, but also as a buffer, grinder, lathe, etc. You could chuck a fan blade in it to ventilate your shop, twist wire rope, spool fishing line, or whatever. Anything where accuracy, precision, and safety aren't very important.
I know this sounds sarcastic, but I do have one, and have found it useful when what I really should have been using wasn't available.

I have used mine for most of what you listed at least once As for accuracy mine is pretty good, definitely close enough for the girls I go out with Precision?? You're one of those guys who uses the little lines on the measuring tape arent you??

 

[shedfullatools]

You can make all the excuses you want - it's still a nearly worthless gimmic.

I don't know where you are coming from with this I have used mine for years and find it very useful, plenty accurate and wont get rid of it even if I get a big floor model. Like I said above, To each his own but I wouldn't go as far as calling it a gimmick

 

[shedfullatools]

I owned a Delta Homecraft radial for several years and then sold it. Agree, it's not a machine I'd give shop space to unless my shop was much, much larger.

Yes, it will do a few odd angles and dimensions a standard bench DP won't.

No, won't do any precise machine work or large diameters in metals when used as a radial; too flexible unless the head is backed up against the column.

Maybe, for the purposes of this discussion, we need to differentiate the light-duty homeowner radials from the hell-for-stout industrial radials.

jack vines

Mine is homeowner sized and has that look I suppose, buuut I pulled the head off the thing a while back and was amazed to fined out all the tubes are 1/4" wall. No wonder the ******** thing is so heavy, definitely no flex in mine

 

[shedfullatools]

Who cares what it can do or what it cant, thats got cool written all over it and Im going to start looking for one

The cool factor was a huge selling point for me, I had never once seen one before and was drawn to it. People walk in look around and immediately ask about it, whether they are as good as normal ones or not I still like them

 

[shedfullatools]

Here's my Walker Turner radial. this is an earlier (possibly 1950'S VINTAGE) model with a #2 Morse taper. This was eliminated in later models which used a direct Jacob's taper on the end of the spindle providing a greater work height. For me the best feature is the large 18" x 26" table surface area with plenty of T-slots, a handy machine for drilling large awkward workpieces. I believe these were built under the Rockwell and Delta brands until the 1980's.

I got lucky on this and found it at a tag sale being run buy a guy who knew nothing about machinery values.

Tom B

That thing is awesome!! Looks near new condition, must have been taken good care of or not used much. Thank you for sharing pictures

 

[crguy]

Here's my Walker Turner radial. this is an earlier (possibly 1950'S VINTAGE) model with a #2 Morse taper. This was eliminated in later models which used a direct Jacob's taper on the end of the spindle providing a greater work height. For me the best feature is the large 18" x 26" table surface area with plenty of T-slots, a handy machine for drilling large awkward workpieces. I believe these were built under the Rockwell and Delta brands until the 1980's.

I got lucky on this and found it at a tag sale being run buy a guy who knew nothing about machinery values.

Tom B

Now that's a nice radial drill!

Not much chance shedfull is going to convince you his drill is worth much, is there?

 

[Tedley]

Takes up space, a pain to realign etc. and that's assuming it was in perfect order... This low end radial I can't seem to let go but even if I fixed all the things I'd like to fix it'd still be a hard to realign flexible space waster.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[shedfullatools]

Now that's a nice radial drill!

Not much chance shedfull is going to convince you his drill is worth much, is there?

Compared to that beast mine is worth nothing Now if you sat that thing in my shed the floor would let go so mine still has some worth

 

[shedfullatools]

Takes up space, a pain to realign etc. and that's assuming it was in perfect order... This low end radial I can't seem to let go but even if I fixed all the things I'd like to fix it'd still be a hard to realign flexible space waster.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Pretty good definition right there I have trouble letting go of everything sooo

 

[Jon Jacobs]

Picked up this Cincinnati Bickford for a mere $900.00 Its in great condition but needs some TLC.

 

[shedfullatools]

Picked up this Cincinnati Bickford for a mere $900.00 Its in great condition but needs some TLC.

Holy What do you have to drill that you need that beast I would have a rough time passing on a deal like that but I don't think outside the shed is the best place for a tool like that... Doubt it would fit in a sedan either

 

[Jon Jacobs]

Holy What do you have to drill that you need that beast I would have a rough time passing on a deal like that but I don't think outside the shed is the best place for a tool like that... Doubt it would fit in a sedan either

Agreed, I just couldn't say no, but I have a small machine shop of my own so I have plans for this old girl.

Its a marvel to look at, nicely balanced and designed.

 

[PelicanPines]

I have a craftsman radial drill press... floor model. I got it when my neighbor sold me his storage unit. It has an x-y table too.

 

[shedfullatools]

Agreed, I just couldn't say no, but I have a small machine shop of my own so I have plans for this old girl.

Its a marvel to look at, nicely balanced and designed.

Good that it will be seeing some love and some use Way to often the kinds of places that have that size equipment scrap the old stuff because they "cant sell to employees" or the public The stuff in good shape gets auctioned off I suppose but the rougher stuff often gets hauled away

 

[Jim C.]

I have a 1959 Delta. It's a nice light to medium duty drill press. I don't really use the radial feature very often. I have it set up for straight up and down 90 degree holes. For years it was the only drill press I had and it did a respectable job of drilling holes in wood and soft metals. I've also used it to spin small diameter sanding drums. I recognize the machine's limitations so I rarely ask it to do more than it's capable of doing. I get the results I expect, and consequently, I don't have many bad things to say about it. As a matter of fact, it still sees a fair amount of use in my shop.

Jim C.

 

[Voi]

Here's my Walker Turner radial.

Two of those have come up for sale in South Dakota in the past few years. Both were teal blue but my suspicion is they were two different machines.

One was at a local industrial tool dealer. I went and drooled over it more than once. First time I saw it I thought it was a mill. Took me a few moments to figure out what it was.

 

[G_P]

Nice machine, but I would be a bit wary of this wiring......

 

[2oolhound]

Hey! nice press tombell! I want the same drill press head setup you have to convert my EDM back to what you have. I bought this one because I just don't think I'll see another one of these in my area and I've wanted this radial press for a while. Mine is a project that I hope to get to one of these days. I'd like to get the EDM head functioning properly and have the drill press head on it for most of the time so I'm on the lookout for the drill press section in my area.

For the guys with the lighter ones, it's still nice to have to option to drill something 10 or 15" away from the column. No matter how big your press is there will always be something you need to drill that you just can't reach on your DP (except for Jon Jacobs that is

 

[SweetD]

Yes, I have one. Powr-Kraft sold by Montgomery Ward probably in the 50s-60s...



Crappy pic...works station needs a spring cleaning and lube, but it's fully functional and quite useful. Wish it had slower speed options for metal, but it's still cool. Missing front belt guard.

Dave

 

[shedfullatools]

Nice machine, but I would be a bit wary of this wiring......

I wouldn't worry about the wiring, First thing I did when I got it was tear into the electrical tape and make sure it was done reasonably well. The tape just contains the wire nuts so they don't get ripped off, been meaning to clean up the electrical on the thing just never got around to it. At least it is safe, not that I ever leave it plugged in.

 

[shedfullatools]

Hey! nice press tombell! I want the same drill press head setup you have to convert my EDM back to what you have. I bought this one because I just don't think I'll see another one of these in my area and I've wanted this radial press for a while. Mine is a project that I hope to get to one of these days. I'd like to get the EDM head functioning properly and have the drill press head on it for most of the time so I'm on the lookout for the drill press section in my area.

For the guys with the lighter ones, it's still nice to have to option to drill something 10 or 15" away from the column. No matter how big your press is there will always be something you need to drill that you just can't reach on your DP (except for Jon Jacobs that is

Nice drill!! I want one of that style now, Not that I have the room for it. I like having this kinda drill around now just for that reason, It has saved me numerous times

 

[shedfullatools]

Yes, I have one. Powr-Kraft sold by Montgomery Ward probably in the 50s-60s...



Crappy pic...works station needs a spring cleaning and lube, but it's fully functional and quite useful. Wish it had slower speed options for metal, but it's still cool. Missing front belt guard.

Dave

That's a nice little machine Looks very similar to mine, I wish mine went a bit slower too but it does alright with lots of cutting fluid